Answer:
An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules and protocols that defines how different software systems can interact with each other. APIs allow different software systems to communicate with each other and exchange data in a structured and predictable way.
APIs are often used to allow different software systems to integrate with each other, or to allow third-party developers to build applications that interact with a particular software system. For example, a social media platform might provide an API that allows third-party developers to build apps that can post updates to the platform, or retrieve data about users.
APIs are typically implemented as a set of functions or methods that can be called by other software systems, and they often use standard protocols such as HTTP or HTTPS to communicate over the internet.